On June 3, 1982, Israeli ambassador to London Shlomo Argov was shot by Palestinian terrorists. The next day, a special cabinet meeting was convened and Begin instructed the air force to attack terrorist targets in southern Lebanon. In response, the terrorists launched a heavy attack of Katyusha rockets on northern Israel, and on June 6, the cabinet met again and decided to launch the “Peace for Galilee Operation” in order to protect the residents of the north.

The operation was designed to harm terror organizations and ensure that the forty miles surrounding the border would be terrorist-free. But the fighting became more complx – the IDF was forced to continue north all the way to Beirut. In August 1982 the fighting forced the PLO leader Yasser Arafat to leave Lebanon, with thousands of terrorists. A short time later, Lebanese president-elect Bachir Gemayel was assassinated. In response, Christian Phalanges Massacred a Muslim refugee camp(Savra VeShatila), leading to Israeli intervention. Some time later, the IDF withdrew to the security zone in southern Lebanon. The war spurred controversy due to the many lost lives, and constant demonstrations were held outside Begin’s home demanding he stop the fighting.